Working Moms Holiday Experience List!

We've all seen them, those great countdowns to Christmas where instead of stuff your child is treated to an experience.  It's a super idea, but if you are like me it's exhausting to even think about how you can make that work. Because you work, and volunteer, and have a million things to do leading up to the holidays, oh yeah and you still need to do the normal stuff like laundry and feed your small humans.    But still, you don't want your kid to miss out on the amazing heartwarming holiday memories right?  It's classic FOMO (that fear of missing out for those of you not up with the new lingo...like me). 

To help, hopefully, I've come up with some tips and ideas on how the working mom, or just uber busy mom, can take part in this exhausting trend.  So grab a calendar, empty advent calendar, or other scheduling tool and let's be wonder moms! 

There are really only three tips:  

1.  Pre-shedule as much as you can.  Sure leaving it up to chance through a random draw of fun activities sounds exciting but nothing kills Christmas spirit faster than coming home from work on a long day and realizing that your kid is going to expect make Christmas cookies because that was what was picked that day!  The key to holiday happiness and heart warming memories is a happy mom.  Pure and simple. 
2. Prep any of the crafty type activities ahead of time.  I'm including a few simple crafts in my list so if you pick these ones, spend a couple of hours on a weekend making sure you have everything you will need.  Put it in a box or a bag so that when that activity comes up all you need to do is pull out the supplies, pour a glass of wine, throw on some holiday music and let your kids make some memories.  
3. Have a back up. Sometimes things are just not going to go the way you , or your kids think they will.  Be honest with your kids and let them know that the holiday light tour isn't going to happen that day because of whatever reason.  They might be disappointed but it's a great opportunity to talk to your kids about working life, parenting and how sometimes life makes you change plans. Then offer up plan B.  Disappointment won't kill your kid, or you.

OK Work Moms here we go:  The ShiftMama Working Mom Holiday Experience List

There are more than 24 so pick the ones that won't stress you out, or make your own!  I'll be adding links to instructions for ones that require making (block elves, ornaments etc) so check back! 

1. Holiday Christmas Light Tour.  Hit the local coffee shop for hot drinks and then head out to those neighbourhoods in your city  that have the coolest lights! 
2. Make a candy car - keep one for your family and gift some to friends, teachers, neighbours (prep ahead)
3. Make block elves (prep ahead) Instructions are here
4. Make cookies (some prep ahead will help) Here's one from my Grandma: Melting Moments
5. Watch a holiday movie (the animated Grich movie is a great choice, it's short and not too annoying!)
6. Go out for dinner 
7. Take a family walk.  Get bundled up and get outside.
8. Shop for some much needed items for the food bank.  Check the food bank website for requests and then set a budget for your kids and take them shopping. 
9. Shovel snow for your neighbours 
10. Go sledding or ice skating
11. Make breakfast for dinner in your PJ's (of course)
12. Head to the local pool for a swim and pretend you are in the tropics for a few hours
13. Make an ornament (prep ahead)
14. Stories and hot chocolate in bed
15. Sing some Christmas carols: make a video and send it to loved ones, or post it on YouTube for the world to see!
16. Write some holiday cards (prep ahead with addresses and stamps, and cards)
17. Make a bird feeder
18. Create a family 2017 bucket list
19. Call a friend or family member that you haven't talked to in a while
20. Choose a country or culture and find out about a holiday tradition there
21. Do the tradition from #20 (I suggest a weekend for 20&21 because it will take some time to do)
22. Dance party!  Throw on some music and just dance.
23. Video Game tournament or if you really are up for some pain....let your kid teach you how minecraft works (bring wine)
24. Make a family collage (some prep - print some pictures ahead of time)
25. Do some yoga - go to a class or put on a video or get your kid to lead you through mindfullness exercises from school. 
26. Have a fondue night (prep head buy the fondue, either cheese or chocolate) 
27. Head to your favourite local coffee shop and let everyone chose their favourite drink, claim those really comfy seats and chill out for as long as you want
28. Board game night, and don't let your kids win (on purpose)! It's only fair, because they probably slaughtered you at whatever video games they chose for the video game challenge.
29. Write letters to Santa, or if your kids are too old for that, write a nice thank you to the awesome volunteers that answer all the letters to Santa
30. See a show - no doubt your community will have some sort of holiday show happening.  Buy tickets, get dressed up and experience the theatre, ballet, live music, poetry jam or art show.  

I'm always looking for new ideas too, share your brilliant work mom holiday experience ideas! 

Cheers to a great holiday season, Working Mom!  And tip #4 - make sure you've got a bottle (or two) of your favourite thing on hand!